CRIPPLED Synonyms: 194 Similar and Opposite Words

crippled 1 of 2

adjective

as in injured

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crippled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of cripple

as in incapacitated

to cause severe or permanent injury to the car crash may have crippled two people for life

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in damaged

to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of the collision so severely crippled the ship that it had to be towed into port

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in paralyzed

to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move a wave of strikes crippled that nation's steel industry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of crippled

Adjective

Liberal critics, however, argued—also rightly—that the Soviet Union was a decaying, economically crippled giant by the time Reagan was inaugurated. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 During the near-disastrous Apollo 13 mission in 1970, commander Jim Lovell was informed of the successful impact while piloting his crippled spacecraft around the moon. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 4 Aug. 2026 In 1985, the world’s worst single-aircraft disaster occurred as a crippled Japan Airlines Boeing 747 on a domestic flight crashed into a mountain, killing 520 people. — ABC News, 28 July 2026 Aemond finds himself at the mercy of the Harrenhal witch, Alys Rivers, while Aegon and Larys continue their misadventures near Rook’s Rest, where the fallen and crippled king must, for once, learn some humility. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 The New York Times shattered the White House image of a crippled Iran in May. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 15 June 2026 In the end, efforts to cool the crippled tank by spraying water on it were believed to have helped slow down the reaction enough to prevent an explosion or massive rupture in the tank that could have sent toxic chemicals flowing into waterways and the ocean. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026 Our mayor appointed an incompetent team that indirectly caused Palisades, crippled prevention and destroyed Palisades. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026 Oil prices rose because the Iran war crippled supply in the region, between the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the sudden danger in shipping oil and collateral damage to oil-industry infrastructure, among other factors. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

Verb

Refineries in Russia, a major exporter of fuel, have been crippled by drone attacks from Ukraine. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 Over the years this bag has crippled numerous hotel bellmen attempting to lift it. — John Ficarra, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026 Africa desperately needs them, crippled by a fundamental lack of traditional national film funding incentives. — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 Winds cripple aerial firefighting Nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft were deployed, but gale-force winds drove flames through dry forest and crippled the response, preventing some aircraft from reaching the sea to collect water. — Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026 Nearly 500 firefighters and 23 aircraft were deployed, but gale-force winds drove flames through dry forest and crippled the response, preventing some aircraft from reaching the sea to collect water. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 Iran's civilian government hopes to unlock frozen funds to provide financial relief for the population of over 90 million Iranians crippled by decades of sanctions. — Emma Graham, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026 The new film takes its cue from a once-promising novelist crippled by writer’s block who reconnects with his estranged college roommate, now a wealthy tech entrepreneur, in hopes of finding inspiration for his next book. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 July 2026 Of great concern is the prospect that data centers will consume massive amounts of water and worsen drought conditions for ranchers and farmers in a state where water shortages already crippled the sugar cane industry. — Marc Levy, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crippled

Adjective

The employee also struck the 34-year-old customer with a metal pole, leaving the customer with an injured arm.

— Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
In his young career, Coker has found himself on the Panthers’ Physically Unable to Perform list and also the injured reserve.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of injured

Verb

This is somewhat reassuring since FEMA now appears to be incapacitated.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026
The medical professional also checked the boxes saying Grayson would be incapacitated within six months and his condition was unlikely to improve.

— Jerry Nowicki, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of incapacitated

Verb

According to Reuters, the ongoing war has paralyzed a fifth of the global oil trade, causing gas prices in the United States to shoot up.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
In March, a cyberattack briefly paralyzed municipal systems and prompted an emergency declaration in Foster City, a Bay Area suburb of 32,000 people.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of paralyzed

Adjective

Evans had 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons to open his career and scored 24 touchdowns over 2023-2024 before a broken collarbone/concussion ended his year abruptly in 2025.

— Jess Bryant, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Yungblud didn’t let a broken leg prevent him from engaging in a little crowd-surfing as the singer — wheelchair in tow — took a spin atop the audience Tuesday at his Portugal show.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of broken

Verb

Gunshots were exchanged, leaving Knight injured and Shakur mortally wounded; Shakur died days later from his injuries.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Nway Oo said that 14 people, including three women, were killed and 20 others were wounded when a fighter jet dropped a bomb in the compound of the village’s monastery.

— Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of wounded

Verb

In seeking a new trial, Anthony’s attorneys have argued that the June proceedings were marred by strict courtroom rules and improper jury instructions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
In seeking a new trial, Anthony's attorneys have argued that the June proceedings were marred by strict courtroom rules and improper jury instructions.

— CBS Texas Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of marred

Verb

Just this week, Suisun City, California, declared a local emergency after an attack there temporarily disabled critical public systems, like 911 routing and other city services.

— Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
The cruiser was disabled from the damage and had to be towed.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of disabled

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“Crippled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crippled. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of crippled

adjective

verb

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